Federal-local relations Legislation - Federal Government

To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to improve the financial assistance provided to State, local, and tribal governments for information sharing activities, and for other purposes. 5/20/2008--Introduced. Personnel Reimbursement for Intelligence Cooperation and Enhancement of Homeland Security Act or PRICE of Homeland Security Act - Amends Homeland Security Act of 2002 provisions concerning the use of funds to allow recipients of grants under provisions relating to the Urban Area Security Initiative or to the State Homeland Security Grant Program to use grant funds to achieve and sustain (currently, to achieve) target capabilities related to preventing, preparing for, protecting against, and responding to acts of terrorism, consistent with a state homeland security plan and relevant local, tribal, and regional homeland security plans. Permits such aims to be met, among other ways, by paying intelligence analysts: (1) regardless of whether the analysts are current [...]

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Making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes. 7/26/2007--Passed Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2008 - Title I: Department of Homeland Security Departmental Management and Operations - Makes appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for FY2008 for the Offices of the Secretary, the Under Secretary for Management, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Information Officer, the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding, and the Inspector General.Withholds specified funds until the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) certifies and reports to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees that DHS has revised its guidance with respect to relations with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to specifically provide for expedited timeframes for providing GAO with [...]

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To amend the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to consolidate the housing assistance programs for homeless persons under title IV of such Act, and for other purposes. 2/6/2007--Introduced. Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act of 2007 - Amends the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to consolidate housing assistance programs for homeless persons. Requires the establishment of a community homeless assistance planning board for a geographic area to lead a collaborative planning process to design, execute, and evaluate programs, policies, and practices to prevent and end homelessness. Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to designate an entity to be a community board if it has engaged in local homeless housing and services planning and has applied for federal funding for homeless assistance prior to enactment of this Act. Instructs the Secretary to make available technical assistance to governmental [...]

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To authorize the acquisition of land and interests in land from willing sellers to improve the conservation of, and to enhance the ecological values and functions of, coastal and estuarine areas to benefit both the environment and the economies of coastal communities, and for other purposes. 4/18/2007--Introduced. Coastal and Estuarine Land Protection Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a Coastal and Estuarine Land Protection Program to protect the environmental integrity of undeveloped coastal and estuarine areas. Authorizes the Secretary to make Program grants to coastal states with approved coastal zone management plans or National Estuarine Research Reserve units for the purpose of acquiring property that will further the goals of an approved Coastal Zone Management Plan or Program, a National Estuarine Research Reserve management plan, or a regional or state watershed protection plan. Prohibits any more than 75% of the funding for any project under [...]

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A bill to reauthorize the United States Fire Administration, and for other purposes. 9/24/2008--Passed House without amendment.    (There are 3 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on September 18, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.) United States Fire Administration Reauthorization Act of 2008 - (Sec. 3) Amends the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to authorize appropriations for the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) for FY2009-FY2012. (Sec. 4) Authorizes the Superintendent of the National Academy for Fire Prevention and Control to include within fire service personnel training: (1) tactics and strategies for dealing with natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters; (2) applying new technology and developing strategies and tactics for fighting wildfires; (3) tactics and strategies for fighting large-scale or multiple fires in [...]

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To reauthorize the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program, and for other purposes. 7/14/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Amends the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of 2000 to: (1) require state and local governments to implement a process for the collection of DNA samples from all felons in their prisons for inclusion in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); (2) allow use of grant funds for DNA analyses of samples from missing or unidentified persons; and (3) increase and extend the authorization of appropriations for such Act for FY2010-FY2014. (Sec. 3) Expresses the sense of Congress that as a result of the DNA analysis backlog violent crimes remain unsolved and wrongfully convicted individuals have not been determined to be innocent. Requires the National Academy of Sciences to study and report to the Attorney General [...]

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To encourage, enhance, and integrate Silver Alert plans throughout the United States, to authorize grants for the assistance of organizations to find missing adults, and for other purposes. 9/17/2008--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on September 8, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.)Title I: Silver Alert Communications Network - National Silver Alert Act - (Sec. 102) Defines "missing senior" as any individual who is reported to, or identified by, a law enforcement agency as a missing person and who meets state requirements for designation as a missing senior.(Sec. 103) Directs the Attorney General to establish a national Silver Alert Communications Network within the Department of Justice (DOJ) to assist regional and local search efforts for missing seniors.(Sec. 104) Directs the Attorney General to [...]

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To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to permit facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs to be designated as voter registration agencies, and for other purposes. 7/29/2008--Introduced. Veteran Voting Support Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to permit a state to designate facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) located in the state as voter registration agencies under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. Requires any VA facility designated as a voter registration agency to: (1) provide information relating to the opportunity to request an absentee ballot; (2) make available absentee ballot applications and absentee ballots upon request, as well as assistance in completing them; and (3) work with local election officials to ensure the proper delivery of such applications and ballots. Directs the Secretary to permit a meaningful opportunity for nonpartisan organizations to provide voter registration information [...]

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To amend section 811 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to improve the program under such section for supportive housing for persons with disabilities. 4/10/2008--Introduced. Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act of 2008 - Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (the Act) to revise requirements for supportive housing for persons with disabilities. (Retains authority to provide such assistance to private nonprofit organizations to expand the supply of such housing.) Repeals the authority of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to provide tenant-based rental assistance directly to eligible persons with disabilities. Authorizes appropriations for such assistance under section 8 (rental voucher program) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 for persons with disabilities in FY2009. Modifies project rental assistance contract requirements, including renewal of, and increases in, annual contract [...]

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A bill to establish a United States Boxing Commission to administer the Act, and for other purposes. 3/1/2007--Reported to Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Professional Boxing Amendments Act of 2007 - (Sec. 3) Amends the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 to: (1) authorize a tribal organization to establish a boxing commission to regulate professional boxing matches held on Indian land; and (2) provide that its provisions shall apply to professional boxing matches held on tribal lands to the same extent and in the same way as they apply to such matches held in any state. Requires health and safety standards and licensing requirements for matches to be at least as restrictive as: (1) standards and requirements in the state in which the Indian land is located; or (2) the guidelines established [...]

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Making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes. 9/18/2008--Introduced. Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2009 - Makes appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for FY2009 for: (1) the Offices of the Secretary, the Under Secretary for Management, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Information Officer, the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding, and the Inspector General; (2) Customs and Border Protection (CBP), including for customs and border protection fencing, infrastructure, and technology; (3) Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including for detention and removal operations (including to identify and remove aliens who have been convicted of a crime once they are judged deportable) and the Federal Protective Service; (4) the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), including for screening operations and procurement and installation [...]

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A bill to establish in the Federal Bureau of Investigation the Nationwide Mortgage Fraud Coordinator to address mortgage fraud in the United States, and for other purposes. 9/22/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Nationwide Mortgage Fraud Coordinator Act of 2008 - Requires the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to assign the Chief of its Financial Crimes Section, Criminal Investigative Division, to be the Nationwide Mortgage Fraud Coordinator, who shall oversee all FBI activities related to investigation of mortgage fraud. Directs the Coordinator to: (1) establish regional task forces, consisting of the voluntary participation of federal, state, and local law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies, to organize initiatives to address mortgage fraud; (2) train such agencies; (3) collect and disseminate mortgage fraud data; and (4) perform other related functions. Authorizes the Coordinator to: (1) [...]

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To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to permit facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs to be designated as voter registration agencies, and for other purposes. 7/29/2008--Introduced. Veteran Voting Support Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to permit a state to designate facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) located in the state as voter registration agencies under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. Requires any VA facility designated as a voter registration agency to: (1) provide information relating to the opportunity to request an absentee ballot; (2) make available absentee ballot applications and absentee ballots upon request, as well as assistance in completing them; and (3) work with local election officials to ensure the proper delivery of such applications and ballots. Directs the Secretary to permit a meaningful opportunity for nonpartisan organizations to provide voter registration information [...]

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A bill to establish a Federal Polygamy Task Force, to authorize assistance for victims of polygamy, and for other purposes. 7/23/2008--Introduced. Victims of Polygamy Assistance Act of 2008 - Establishes within the Department of Justice a Federal Polygamy Task Force to strengthen federal law enforcement activities and provide state and local law enforcement officials the assistance they need to address the illegal activity of one or more polygamist organizations. Requires the Federal Polygamy Task Force to: (1) formulate effective responses to the unique set of crimes committed by polygamist organizations; (2) establish partnerships with state and local law enforcement agencies to share relevant information and strengthen state and federal efforts to combat crimes perpetrated by polygamist organizations; (3) assist states by providing strategies and support for the protection of witnesses; (4) track the criminal behavior of polygamist organizations that cross state [...]

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A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to permit facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs to be designated as voter registration agencies, and for other purposes. 7/22/2008--Introduced. Veteran Voting Support Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to permit a state to designate facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) located in the state as voter registration agencies under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. Requires any VA facility designated as a voter registration agency to: (1) provide information relating to the opportunity to request an absentee ballot; (2) make available absentee ballot applications and absentee ballots upon request, as well as assistance in completing them; and (3) work with local election officials to ensure the proper delivery of such applications and ballots. Directs the Secretary to permit a meaningful opportunity for nonpartisan organizations to provide voter registration information [...]

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A bill to encourage the entry of felony warrants into the NCIC database by States and provide additional resources for extradition. 6/16/2008--Introduced. Fugitive Information Networked Database Act of 2008 or the FIND Act - Permits a state attorney general to apply for Department of Justice (DOJ) grants to develop and implement or upgrade systems for the preparation, submission, and validation of state felony warrants that are compatible and interoperable with the National Crime Information Center database. Allows grant funds to be used to hire additional personnel to validate warrants entered into the database.Directs the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to provide state and local government agencies the technology to make state and local warrant databases compatible and interoperative with the National Crime Information Center database.Authorizes appropriations for the Fugitive Apprehension Task Forces and for the extradition of fugitives through the [...]

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To amend parts B and E of title IV of the Social Security Act to assist children in foster care in developing or maintaining connections to family, community, support, health care, and school, and for other purposes. 6/24/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Fostering Connections to Success Act - (Sec. 2) Amends Part E (Federal Payments for Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to give state plans the option of providing for the state to enter into agreements to provide kinship guardianship assistance payments to grandparents and other relatives who have assumed legal guardianship of children for whom they have cared as foster parents and for whom they have committed to care on a permanent basis. (Sec. 3) Amends SSA title IV [...]

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A bill to improve Federal land management, resource conservation, environmental protection, and use of Federal real property, by requiring the Secretary of the Interior to develop a multipurpose cadastre of Federal and real property and identifying inaccurate, duplicate, and out-of-date Federal land inventories, and for other purposes. 5/20/2008--Introduced. Federal Land Asset Inventory Reform Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to develop a multipurpose cadastre of federal real property (an inventory of real property of the federal government) to assist with federal land management, resource conservation, environmental protection, and use of real property. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cost-sharing agreements with states to include any non-federal lands in a state in such cadastre. Limits the federal share of any such agreement to 50% of the total cost to a state for the development of the cadastre of the non-federal lands in the state. Requires [...]

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To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to improve the financial assistance provided to State, local, and tribal governments for information sharing activities, and for other purposes. 5/20/2008--Introduced. Personnel Reimbursement for Intelligence Cooperation and Enhancement of Homeland Security Act or PRICE of Homeland Security Act - Amends Homeland Security Act of 2002 provisions concerning the use of funds to allow recipients of grants under provisions relating to the Urban Area Security Initiative or to the State Homeland Security Grant Program to use grant funds to achieve and sustain (currently, to achieve) target capabilities related to preventing, preparing for, protecting against, and responding to acts of terrorism, consistent with a state homeland security plan and relevant local, tribal, and regional homeland security plans. Permits such aims to be met, among other ways, by paying intelligence analysts: (1) regardless of whether the analysts are current [...]

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To encourage, enhance, and integrate Silver Alert plans throughout the United States, to authorize grants for the assistance of organizations to find missing adults, and for other purposes. 9/17/2008--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on September 8, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.)Title I: Silver Alert Communications Network - National Silver Alert Act - (Sec. 102) Defines "missing senior" as any individual who is reported to, or identified by, a law enforcement agency as a missing person and who meets state requirements for designation as a missing senior.(Sec. 103) Directs the Attorney General to establish a national Silver Alert Communications Network within the Department of Justice (DOJ) to assist regional and local search efforts for missing seniors.(Sec. 104) Directs the Attorney General to [...]

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